Dawn, again

Getting started with one of my favorite empires - the Colonial Dawn - using 1.74 and BM 1.17. For those unfamilar with the Dawn, they're human. The rest will unfold in the story. For those who've read my first "Dawn" story you may see some familiar names, but I'm consciously trying to avoid repeating too much. Anyway, you aren't here to read background, so please enjoy "Dawn, again".

2401.0
Bespin system...onboard CDS Ajax...

In another couple of days, the first of the Dawn ships would reach the Rhendor warp point. A frigate class, her completion was delayed until missile ranges could be improved. Ajax was the first of two system defense ships. Admittedly a stop gap measure, her role was to augment planet based fighters with colony defense. She would also be able to map out the system, and her sensor array could monitor warp points for intruders into the Dawn systems.

Dawn claimed two additional systems in the year since their mandate to explore and acquire was launched. Bespin, their home system now boasted two colonies with oxygen atmospheres. Exploration also laid claim to the Kartogia system, with its two domed, rock world colonies. Rhendor was also under Dawn’s flag, with two colonies, and the empire’s second shipyard under construction there.

The humans of the Dawn empire had a talent for research, and they were putting it to good use. In the year since exploration had started, sensor technology had improved twice, as had capital ship missiles. Planet based fighters would also be upgraded next month. Xenophobic almost to a fault, the empire’s ability to develop new technologies was only matched by their mistrust of almost everyone who wasn’t “of the empire”. Their primary advantage, they reasoned, was in their ability to count on technological improvements rather than physical or political skills. Logically, they concluded, if everyone had the same technology then their advantage would be negated.

And, just as logically, they as a race would probably be "negated".

No, it was safe to say the fear of losing their technological lead to another race was foremost on the minds of the empire and its leaders. Whatever it took, the technology would be protected.

“Whatever it takes...”

“Excuse me, captain?”

Captain John Redeux was startled out of his reverie and focused again on his bridge. He addressed his sensor officer, as well as the bridge crew.

“Whatever it takes, gentlemen. Our mission is to defend our new colonies in Rhendor. And that we will. Whatever it takes.”

The crew went back to their duties. In less than a week, they would be leaving their home system and entering Rhendor. The colonists were counting on them as they worked to expand the empire. In a couple of months, a second ship would be sent to Kartogia to defend the colonists there. Rhendor I and its fledgling shipyard colony, however, was the priority.

Kartogia system
Kartogia III company headquarters...

The planet council delivered the news. Their defender would be delayed. While not enthralled with the idea of no capital ship support in a front-line system, the colonists continued their improvements. The supply base was operational, and a spaceport would go online next month. Kartogia II was constructing research facilities, and would have five available to augment the empire’s technological superiority. Fighter production would begin shortly, but a capital ship would be welcome. The system wasn’t even fully explored, and the unknown always makes researchers uneasy...

The instructor turned the monitor on, and the display resolved to a young man. As the playback began, the instructor sat down with his students to watch...

Dawn Empire news feed

Good day, citizens...

This month’s news update covers the development of new research facilities, warp point defense, and the departure of our colony ship to the last of the known rock worlds…

With the development of three more research facilities in the Kartogia system, our Empire is looking forward to making significant discoveries to enhance our quality of life. As the Empire expands, along with the need for researchers, parents are always advised to enroll their children early in developmental programs. Trained minds will be our most potent weapon for our success as a species…

The Archangel interceptor, along with the Intruder bomber are our Empire’s primary warp point defense. Frigates will also support the fighters when they are not exploring new systems. This month, two Archangel fighters from the Kartogia Defense Interceptor squadron launched and are now in orbit at a warp point in Kartogia. As our forces begin the task of securing our borders, our outer system colonists continue to improve their new colonies to support the fighters. With this system of mutual dependency and cooperation, the success of our Empire cannot fail to succeed.

Finally, a Mayflower II colony ship was launched for Kartogia I, which is a projected research colony. With their arrival, our Empire will have three colonies in Kartogia. Our Naval personnel expectantly look beyond the unknown warp points as they probe what will become future Dawn Empire systems. Remember, citizens with a class III survival rating are eligible to colonize non-oxygen planets. Submit your request to your district representative.

Transmission ends...

The feed was carried to all of the monitors in the building. The two pilots who launched toward the new warp point - discovered by the recently arrived frigate Nike – were able to make the distance in a single month. They would be alone for the first month, and their orders during that time were to report and run – or “R & R” as the pilots liked to call it. Next month more fighters would be sent to join them, and then they could assume a traditional defensive posture.

On the second floor of the building, a dayroom was serving as an advanced educational facility until a proper one could be built. The lack of a building for education didn’t stop the Empire – they were driven to learn and discover. That, along with the latest news feed, provided a convenient opportunity for a chance for the next generation of researchers to demonstrate what they knew of interstellar physics…

The task was to explain how ships – whether frigates or fighters – could traverse such immense distances in space with a limited fuel supply. The answer was a basic explanation of straight line acceleration in an environment that offered very little – if any – resistance to movement. Since the main opposition to speed was drag, traveling in an environment without drag meant very high speeds could be reached with very little thrust. The only significant resistance offered would be that of stopping or turning off the straight line. Indeed, combat – executed at a much slower speed – was projected to be the primary drain on fuel for ships in space, since combat required maneuvering.

All of the student researchers were able to explain something as simple as that, and the instructor proceeded with more nebulous questions for them to ponder and ultimately solve...

Captain Redeux was twice impressed. First, he was impressed with the efficiency that the newly completed supply depot at Rhendor II was able to get a string of supply ships to him and restock his vessel. The system supply ships were private contractors with no warp capabilities, and they were very good at what they did. His ship and crew were fully supplied now, and could continue their mission.

Secondly, he was impressed with how fast the supply ships left. More correctly, he was impressed with the reason the supply ships left so quickly. On the other side of the moon they were orbiting was a storm fully one sector across, and ejecting small quantities of plasma into the surrounding space. Completing the exploration of the Rhendor system, he found two warp points to unknown locations in addition to the one back to Bespin. His mission was still to explore, and his crew was heading to the closest warp point to see what awaited them. Exploration, in this case, also meant exploring the storm. He would send Ajax into the storm and monitor the effect it had on his ship and crew.

Besides, it was the quickest way to the warp point...

Kartogia system...

The colony ship touched down on Kartogia I and the third Dawn colony in Kartogia (and Kartogia’s last rock planet) was established. The dome was almost in place, and research stations would be in operation in less than two months. Ajax’s sister ship, Nike, also completed the exploration of Kartogia, save for one sector. There was only one other warp point out of Kartogia besides the one to Bespin. The fighters on patrol there were now reinforced with eight more Archangels. By the time the Kartogia I research stations were operational, Nike would be testing the warp point and what was on the other side of it...

Passing through the storm turned out to be decidedly anti-climatic, as the only anomaly noted was the amount of sensor disturbance caused by the gasses in the sector. The effect was noted and reported to the Naval headquarters at Bespin, along with the note from Redeux that the storm would make a good place to hide a capital ship. Warnings were sent to the Nike in Kartogia to explore all storms in system for this very possibility.

With the message sent, Redeux now concentrated on the task at hand – entering and mapping the new system on the other side of the warp point before him.

Cestus system...

The Ajax emerged into the Cestus system, and found a rock world with a hydrogen atmosphere. Back in Rhendor, the newly constructed space yard began on its first task – a Mayflower for this world. Ajax still had over twp-thirds of the system yet to be explored, but the planet could – at least – be a supply port to extend exploration range...

Bespin system...

Work on a third Ajax-class frigate was begun. The third warp point in Rhendor was still unexplored.

Kartogia system...

The CDS Nike did check out the two storms in the system and found nothing. She was also poised to enter a new system next month...

2401.5

Muktar system
onboard CDS Nike...

The warp was uneventful, and the crew of the Nike found themselves in the Muktar system, where a medium rock world with methane atmosphere was plotted. Plans were made to explore this new system and colonize any habitable planets...

Rhendor space yard...

The Mayflower just had her skeleton laid out when the call to the yard supervisor was made. Minutes later, an alarm sounded throughout the facility, and section leaders met with the supervisor. Plans had changed. The work on the colonizer had stopped. There was a more pressing need for their services...

Cestus system
onboard CDS Ajax...

Sensors reported the scanning emissions when the ship was in range. First to appear was another frigate about to enter a warp point. As Ajax moved away from it two planets were discovered. Both rock worlds, one was huge with an oxygen atmosphere. It was a prize, except for one small problem.

It was inhabited...

Corporate Headquarters
Bespin I...

Chairman Lomax was listening to the report from Ajax. Most everyone knew contact would eventually happen, but that foreknowledge didn’t stop the excitement and nervousness from happening to everyone here. Lomax was responsible for the final decision for how the Empire would act to the newly discovered race, but his decision would be a product of reports, analysis, projection, capabilities and good old-fashioned gut instinct. He re-focused on the facts being presented.

“...with five radiation extraction facilities, and no discernable cargo. Cestus III appears to be their home world, with numerous research facilities, mining facilities, a space yard and a supply depot. There is also a frigate that was warping out of Cestus to another system. Ajax lost contact with that ship when she found the colonies. Cestus I has five satellites of some type in orbit, and has 32 fighters and 21 ground troops on the planet surface. We believe the fighters are, repeat are, space capable.”

Lomax nodded to the man. “Thank you Defense. Intelligence, what can you tell me about the race itself?”

Rita Edwards, leader of the intelligence directorate began her report.

“Mr. Chairman, the race is not unlike our own. They're referred to as the Ephekir, and they breathe methane, but colonize rock worlds. They have a corporate government, and seem to excel at research.”

Edwards paused here for effect. The race was becoming a mirror image of Dawn. She continued.

“While we are unsure of their intentions, it is safe to conclude the following. First, they have scanned our ship and are in the process of interviewing non-aligned traders to glean information about us as we have about them. Second, they are probably unsure as to how to act, as we are. And third, they are probably preparing for the worst, as we are. There is, however, one important difference between us, Mr. Chairman.”

Edwards waited for her cue.

“Go on, Ms. Edwards.”

Edwards pointed to the projection map of Cestus and the position of Ajax.

Very impressive and an enjoyable read. I can't wait for future updates.

I like how you go into detail on how the physics works. Are you also planning on doing that with technological developments?

Thanks for the comment. As to the detail of how the physics works, I try to envision how it might work and write it into the storyline (like this entry and nuclear fusion). I'm probably way off base with the accuracy, but what the hey - it's my reality - LOL. And yes, I am also planning to try and go into detail with the technological upgrades as best I can.

(btw, if you'd like to be in the storyline, let me know)

Now, to the Ephekir problem...

2401.6

Cestus system
onboard CDS Ajax

Having done what was called a ‘fly-by’ of the homeworld of the Ephekir, the Ajax was now returning to the Rhendor-Cestus warp point. Captain Redeux was reviewing the data concerning the response times and sensor information about the colony’s atmosphere, radiation levels, and such when his signal officer alerted him to an incoming transmission.

An imperceptible sigh of relief was felt throughout the ship. The message had been displayed throughout the ship, as per confirmation code AD014. Ajax wasn’t ordered to start a war.

They were ordered to dare the Ephekir to start one instead...

Bespin system
Bespin II Research Laboratory

It was all mathematics, after all. No one could really “see” an atom’s nucleus. Everything had to be done with mathematical approximations. One such approximation was concerned with increasing the yield of nuclear reactions...

The ability to increase the yield of atomic weapons meant the ability to increase the potential of energy within the mass of the atom itself. Uranium was the element of choice, although “homegrown” isotopes of the element were showing promise. One in particular, U-237; was encased in a plasma field sample from the numerous storms that occurred throughout the known systems. The plasma actually fused to the nucleus of the atom, and – rather than releasing energy away from the center of the atom, transferred its energy into the atom’s center. The result was a blast radius that would cause more damage. The problem was that the effect could not be duplicated for a large amount of material, but the effect was perfect for the Intruder anti-ship missile package...

Bespin I spaceyard...

The new ship was almost complete. CDS Monitor would be the first of the “Carryall” design. As the name implied, the ship was configured as a cargo ship, but two cargo bays were configured as a fighter bay and a satellite launcher. While she could launch navigation and defense satellites, her main function would be to collect fighters as they approached a warp point, warp into a new system, and launch them into the new system. She could also retrieve fighters if necessary with the reverse process. While some doubted the ability of massed fighters being as effective as capital ships, the economics was impossible to argue against. Coupled with the weapons upgrade for the Intruder, fighter bombers posed a serious threat against capital ships. While their rocked pods only had half of the range of the larger capital ship missiles and half of their yield, massed attacks could devastate a ship while forcing their point defense to concentrate on the fighter instead of the payload...

With such a force in place in the Cestus system (and other, yet-to-be discovered systems) the Empire stood a good chance to gain a foothold in an occupied system and never letting go...

Whatever the reason, the Ephekir didn’t make a move toward Ajax, nor the third rock planet in the system. Captain Redeux wasn’t complaining, however, as his ship entered into orbit around the planet and fulfilled the first tasking of her orders. Their orbit, combined with their sensor range, meant they could keep a continuous watch on the big prize, Cestus I, in front of them as well as the Cestus-Rhendor warp point behind them. Sensor scans of the big planet confirmed that it was no longer undefended. Last month, a weapon platform was scanned, and this month 10 fighters were now on the planet. The weapon platform wasn’t a concern to Redeux, but the fighters were. If the Ephekir became aware that he only carried missiles, the fighters could attack with impunity. Defending against fighters was a concern, but so were supplies. If a colony ship could get here and establish a base, they could re-supply at will. If they could get weapons platforms on the ground to assist the defense. If the Ephekir gave them enough time to get the colony built. And, most importantly, if the Ephekir didn’t discover something between now and then that would render the Dawn ships impotent.

“A lot of ifs...” thought Redeux.

Of course, he still had a job to do.

“Signals, make to Naval Command. Advise we have achieved orbit Cestus II and are maintaining. Scans reveal ten fighters now on Cestus I. Supplies within operational parameters.”

“Captain, CDS Aetna hails and advises they will be in orbit with us in two weeks.”

Redeus welcomed the news that a second Ajax class frigate was in system with him, but wondered if two ships near their planets might push the Ephekir too far...

Bespin system
...onboard Intruder “Bomber Four Charlie”...

Ensign Karl Daniels was never so happy to leave a planet. Launched from Bespin II the colony there was one gigantic egghead – as far as he was concerned. He did have to admit, however, the upgrade on his rocket package was a nice advantage to have on his side, but they went on, and on, and on about it. Technical specification briefings, simulation after simulation, more briefings and data...Daniels knew one thing about the technological marvels his Empire was producing. At some point, you had to use them. Then, the time for talk, and modification, and upgrades would be secondary. At some point, you had to use what you had.

Daniels was in formation with three more Intruders and four Archangel interceptors. They all launched from Bespin II and were en route to their transport into harm's way...

...onboard CDS Monitor...

The cargo ship was traveling into Rhendor and then into Cestus. Until an adequate point defense could be researched, fighters would be the primary defense against enemy fighters. Monitor would ferry the first load of fighters from Bespin, through Rhendor and finally into Cestus. Then she would shuttle back and forth between Rhendor and Cestus with fighters, supplies, and ordinance. Her first load of fighters was winging toward her and forming up. Bombers would land first while the interceptors flew a “CSP”, or Combat Space Patrol, covering the landings. Once the eight were on board, Monitor would head to the Bespin-Rhendor warp point and collect the fighters waiting there...

Muktar system
onboard CDS Nike...

The survey was complete, and it wasn’t thrilling news. Muktar did have twin stars, but there were only two small rock planets that could be colonized; and neither had an oxygen atmosphere. Worst of all was the presence of two additional warp points that would have to be guarded if – more correctly “when” – Dawn pushed this far out. With over half of their supplies gone, Nike would return to Kartogia and re-supply before exploring the new warp points...

Rhendor system
...onboard CDS Osiris...

The third frigate built (Aetna was actually the fourth) was approaching the last warp point yet unexplored in Rhendor. Fighters were patrolling there, and Osiris served as a mock target for the bombers to practice their runs as she approached them. The bombers’ practice would be secondary to Osiris’ mission. With the tensions mounting in Cestus and the lack of possibilities in Muktar, Osiris was on the most important mission from the Empire’s perspective. To keep expanding, and keep learning; the Empire needed more worlds with oxygen. If the system Osiris approached was barren, then war with the Ephekir might be inevitable...

The frigate warped into Kartogia from Muktar. She was low on supplies and needed to be fully stocked before she attempted exploration of a new system so far from a supply source. Eventually, Dawn would colonize one of the two Muktar planets and set up a supply point, but that was far in the future. The captain of Nike, however, wasn’t worried about far into the future. He was worried about the immediate future. Immediate, as in about 30 seconds from now when he materialized on the other side of the warp point...

Kartogia Defense squadron...

The fighters had been alerted as to the arrival time of the frigate, but the moments before a ship materialized from a warp point were uneasy. The ship coming in should be the frigate, but what if it wasn’t? What if the frigate had been destroyed by an unknown enemy and the enemy was sending a fleet into Kartogia?

Questions like these circulated among the 53 individual minds whose hands were hovering over their fire control panel. Whether nuclear tipped anti-ship missiles, or depleted uranium cannons, the slightest provocation would be enough to trigger the fighters to unleash their weapons.

But, of course, the scans revealed the CDS Nike, and she answered the challenge code correctly. Fifty-three sets of lungs let out a sigh, and another “uneventful” patrol continued...

Bespin system...

The Mayflower left dock. Colonists were onboard. Supplies were loaded. The mission was underway. In four months, citizens of Dawn would be arriving in the Cestus system. Arriving as friends or invaders had yet to be determined...

Rhendor system
onboard CDS Osiris...

Fully supplied, Osiris headed into the warp point. The fighters watched her disappear into the ball of light and gas. They, like everyone else, would know in a matter of days what the ship would find...

Bespin system
Corporate Headquarters...

It was like reading a remote transmission of a sporting event. The Board of Directors watched the monitor waiting for a transmission from Osiris. She had entered the warp point, and the fate of a lot of people would be tied up with the next transmission.

And that was that. On the whole, it could have been worse. At least the system was uninhabited – as far as they knew. Huge rock worlds would be beneficial, but domes would limit their effectiveness. All of which left the Board in a quandary with regard to Cestus, the Ephekir, and that tantalizing huge oxygen planet...

The horn sounded in the laboratory. A yellow light began to rotate outside of the testing room door. Men and women were at their stations. Test equipment was on line, as was a high speed camera. At one end of the test room was a sheet of armor. It was a composite, and over four inches thick. At the other end of the room was a rail gun, commonly referred to as a “depleted uranium cannon”. A small piece of inert uranium, (referred to as a “bullet”) a few inches long, was loaded. The term “cannon”, however, was actually something of a misnomer. “Track” would have been a better description.

Outside the testing room, the rotating light switched from yellow to red, and the horn sounded three short bursts followed by a long burst. The technician pressed a button. On the panel, just above the button, someone had taped a piece of paper with the word “Fire” on it.

Back in the testing room, the “track” energized. In reality, a series of eight short tracks, separated one from the other by a few fractions of an inch. When the first section of track energized, a small magnetic field was established around the bullet. This field magnetized the bullet. The first section of track then reversed its field, and the second section of track energized. Since the field of the bullet was opposite of the second section of track, but the same as the first section the bullet was pulled onto the second section of track while simultaneously being repelled from the first section of track. The second section then reversed its field, and the third section energized. The net effect was that the bullet was accelerated as it moved from track to track, until it was repelled, or “shot” away from the “cannon”. All of this had happened in one-thousandth of a second.

The bullet actually took almost ten-thousandths of a second to impact the armor plate. The impact was definitely not an impressive one - nothing more than a small hole punctured the armor. A small dimpling accompanied the hole. While the impact didn’t look very bad, it would be devastating to a ship in the vacuum of space – especially if the one hole were several holes.

Film was reviewed, readings analyzed, and measurements were taken. More tests and written analyses of the tests were made. Eventually, the upgraded system was deemed successful and ready for production. More and more upgrades could be made, as the range and penetrating power of the bullet was simply a matter of how fast it was accelerated. And the speed was simply based on the number of tracks. When a technician pointed out that too many tracks would make the cannon too long, a clever solution of spiraling the tracks was proposed. Research would begin on that as soon as possible...

Corporate Headquarters...

The vote was close, but the decision was made with regard to the Ephekir.

Rhendor system
Rhendor-Cestus warp point...

More fighters swarmed Monitor. She was carrying 40 Archangel interceptors and 12 Intruder bombers. She was fully loaded, and ready to enter Cestus. Next month, she would do so...

Cestus system
onboard CDS Ajax...

Captain Redeux looked at the message pad. His hand was on the scanner, and a confirmation code told the processor that it was okay to print the message to the monitor. He was in his cabin, and he was with his executive and signal officers. The crew had been waiting in this system until a decision was made by the Board of Directors back in Bespin.

Suddenly, the monitor went to a black background, and white letters began to display.

The frigate was finished, and would depart later that day. The fourth generation of the Ajax class, her modifications represented a radical change in weaponry and strategy from past generations. After a consensus was reached among Navy personnel, as well as research documentation, frigates would be armed with three depleted uranium cannons, along with ordinance pods for more ammunition. The change would allow defense against fighters, and provide an offensive capability that would be unaffected by enemy point defense. While the range of the cannons was considerably less than the range of the missiles, the addition of armor would help protect the frigate as they operated from within enemy fire arcs.

As Thornbird made ready to leave for the Cestus system, CDS Nike was returning from Kartogia and would receive the new upgrades...

Rhendor system..

The system was alive with ship traffic. CDS Osiris returned from the Prenix system and re-supplied as she took up defense of the Prenix-Rhendor warp point. The fighters that were guarding the point had moved to the Cestus-Rhendor warp point. Most were taken aboard the Monitor, but about eight more were waiting for Monitor to make her second trip into Cestus. A Mayflower II colony ship was also warping into Cestus. From Bespin, CDS Reforger was also now in system and was scheduled to warp into Cestus in two months.

Cestus system
onboard CDS Monitor...

The pilots were in their fighters when the launch order was issued. Thirty-eight Archangels and twelve Invaders were now space-borne and forming up with the frigates Ajax and Aetna. They were two sectors away from Cestus I, the huge rock world with an oxygen atmosphere...

Cestus I...

Captain Redeux couldn’t help feeling just a bit excited as well as a twinge of fear. Combat had that effect, and Redeux wasn’t any different than anyone else. His ship and the Aetna were in formation headed to the planet. Their job would be to reduce the colony there to rubble. Ahead of him were the bombers, and ahead of them was the interceptor screen.

When the force closed to within 400km of the planet, the Ephekir responded. Thirty of their own fighters launched to meet them. Two point defense satellites were in orbit as well, but they were both on the opposite side of the planet as the Dawn forces approached. Scans of the fighters and planet’s surface painted a picture of what exactly the attackers faced.

Of the thirty fighters against them, ten were bombers and the rest were fighters. Once the two forces met, fire was exchanged. The attackers had the numerical advantage, as well as a size advantage. Additionally, the attackers were able to form up and attack en masse, while the defenders were more loosely organized. The result was for every weapon an Ephekir fighter fired at the Dawn fighters, ten weapons would respond. The first three Ephekir fighters were shredded before the rest of their forces could form up properly and try to mass their fire against their opponents. The Archangels, however, held formation, and were able to attack the edges of the Ephekir. Slowly, the enemy interceptors were whittled down, first to fifteen, then twelve, then seven…

Eventually the defenders were eliminated. The two frigates had to turn away as some of the bombers broke through while the Archangels were engaged with the Ephekir interceptors. Ajax and Aetna both heeled away at their maximum speed, and began to slowly turn away from each other, trying to loop back to their own interceptors while maintaining their speed. The Invaders, seeing the enemy interceptors eliminated, began a run straight for the planet. The Archangels, having destroyed their targets, turned and vectored for the enemy bombers. They were able to cut the corner on the bombers and attack. The bombers had no weapons designed to attack fighters, and they had no chance at all.

Four Archangels were destroyed, and one was severely damaged and unable to continue. The rest of the force made for the planet.

When they were within range, the frigates launched their missiles against the planet. Six missiles flew away, and they were opposed by a lone point-defense cannon on the weapon platform. The point-defense actually knocked one of the missiles out, but five more impacted against radiation mining facilities and the weapon platform itself.

While the enemy point defense was busy with the missiles, the fighters attacked. The Archangels, with their ammunition low after engaging the enemy fighters, were able to attack a few more times before their cannons were empty. The weapon platform now fired its two DUCs against the fighters, but they didn’t have any combat sensors to aid their fire. Two Archangels were, in fact, hit but for the most part, the fighters easily flew between the shots. The Invaders, however, were able to launch wave after wave of missiles. Their fire, along with the capital ship missiles (CSMs) eliminated first the weapon platform, the planet’s facilities, and the satellites.

And 22 million lives...

The signal was sent to Monitor to return to Rhendor and gather more fighters. Meanwhile, the Mayflower that was designated for colonization of Cestus II, was re-routed to Cestus I. Next month, the planet would be a Dawn colony...

The colonists were more than happy to off load and begin what would be a shining example of the Dawn empire. Large, temperate, and a beautiful open sky over their heads, they were in a virtual paradise.

Except, of course, for the smoking ruins and twisted wreckage of the previous owners.

Shining example of the Dawn empire, indeed.

Still, work had to be done. The first thing that needed to be done was to get a Hercules weapon platform operational to assist the ships in orbit with defending the colony. On their sister colony, Cestus II, more fighters would be built. If the colonies could survive the first month, then Cestus I would try to get a space yard going, while Cestus II would concentrate on a supply depot.

Meanwhile, at the warp point with Rhendor, one of the new Ajax III frigates, CDS Mandrake, warped in. Next month, she would lend her firepower to the defense of Cestus I.

With their homeworld now in the same system as two colonies from a civilization they were at war with, no one doubted that the Ephekir would pull all of their ships back from exploration to deal with this threat to their existence. The Dawn had better be ready...

Rhendor system
Rhendor-Cestus warp point
...onboard CDS Reforger...

The replenishment ship would also warp into Cestus next month. Her eight ordinance storage pods were full, and they were bound to be used in the very near future...

Captain Redeux was feeling a bit better. Reforger had arrived, and the defenders of Cestus I were now fully supplied and had full weapon loads. Reforger herself was almost drained of supplies, but was only one sector from Cestus I. She would orbit Cestus I and transfer enough supplies from the planet to return to Rhendor. Once there, she would be resupplied and return to Cestus if the situation warranted.

Aetna’s captain had scouted the warp point next to the Ephekir homeworld, and their frigate was still there. Aetna then returned to Cestus I.

The fighters were also resupplied and armed. Ten of the Archangels stayed to screen Reforger while the rest returned to Cestus I. Thirteen Archangels were noow also guarding Cestus II, and the fourth frigate in the system, Thornbird, would orbit Cestus II next month.

On the planets, construction would begin on facilities. Plans for a space yard at Cestus I were on hold for now. A space port would be built first, followed by research facilities. Research had not grown in the months that led to the Cestus strike, and that was unacceptable.

Rhendor system
Rhendor I headquarters building...

The planetary governor waited a moment before beginning.

“Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for the rushed nature of this meeting, but you will understand the urgency in a moment. Please direct your attention to the monitors in front of you...”

The monitor screens showed the background of the Dawn Empire, and then a large red lettered CLASSIFIED warning, along with the usual threats of what would happen if the information were divulged to unauthorized personnel.

“What you are seeing is the sensor display of our frigate Osiris. The playback shows her warping back into Prenix, which she was exploring when the Cestus strike was authorized. You see her approaching the warp point...she enters...and just about now...”

The displays now showed proximity warnings activating onboard Osiris, as the sensor scan display for the ship now filled the monitors in the boardroom. There, on the edge of detection range, it was. A ship, headed toward the warp point. Osiris was ordered to hold the warp point. Everyone hoped the contact would be friendly.

Bespin system
Bespin II research facility...

Dakar was about to leave for the day. He was tired, and the creation of the destroyer class were finally authorized. He was happy with his efforts, and those of his team. Their contribution was to the structural integrity improvements necessary when creating a larger ship. He almost left, when he realized he forgot his satchel. He looked around, and finally spied it – on top of a locker. He sighed, as one of his team playing a good-natured prank on him. The seriousness of the situation was broken when his team members emerged from the other room, laughing.

“Need a hand?” they quipped as he got a chair.

“Very funny guys. At least now I know why I keep you around. Your calculations on that last tensile strength test were almost as funny as your joke here!”

They were picking their stuff up to go when one of them made the comment that if he had a longer reach he wouldn’t need the chair.

“Going to get something to eat with us, Dakar?”

But the scientist wasn’t listening. Standing on the chair, he had reached for the satchel, but his arm stopped just before picking it up. In fact, he was almost frozen in place. His team looked at him for a second.

“What’s wrong?”

Snapped out of his reverie, he jumped off the chair and ran through the door, towards his research station.

The modification was made to the cannon. The limitation had always been the length of the weapon. Even with a spiraled track, there was only so much range that could be achieved. Setting the cannon into a mount allowed the weapon to be longer, and have the necessary support to maintain a reasonable accuracy. In a sense, Dakar offered the empire what he didn’t have for himself.

A longer reach...

Rhendor system
Rhendor II...

The designs were incorporated and the colonists here began to build the new weapon platforms, along with navigation satellites to help in an early warning capacity. The Monitor, having delivered fighters into Cestus, would now revert to a basic cargo ship to carry the weapon platforms into Cestus, as well as launching the satellites to reveal what was happening beyond the range of the defender’s sensor arrays.

Prenix system
...onboard CDS Osiris...

The Phong frigate had retreated out of sensor range. Osiris explored a bit and found a warp point the Phong probably used to leave the system, but it wasn’t certain. Osiris had orders to guard the warp point to Rhendor, and she took up her station there after the reconnaissance.

Cestus system
...onboard CDS Ajax...

It was Redeux’s turn to scout the warp points. The Ephekir frigate was still there, and the second unknown point was clear. The colonists on both planets were working furiously to complete the space port and supply depot. Eight more Archangels were inbound to Cestus II from Monitor before she warped back out to get weapon platforms from Rhendor II. The Ephekir homeworld still had not made a move against their new neighbors. Some were hoping that the two races could live in peace. Redeux wouldn’t object to that, but he was sure it wasn’t the reason the Ephekir had not responded...

Greetings to the citizens of the Empire! All hail Chairman Lomax and the Board. Here is this month’s update

Our shipbuilders have completed the first of a new class of ships. The England class destroyer was introduced today as the CDS Northampton left space dock. Her destination is classified, of course, but we join with you in wishing her and her crew the best as they project the Empire’s benevolence among the stars.

Researchers today announced the upgrade of a fourth generation cannon system, saying it now has a “significant” range upgrade. We were unable to get any further information on future upgrades, but with the troubles in the Cestus system, we can speculate they will be focusing on ways to end the war quickly.

Speaking of the Cestus system, no combat was again reported. Both colonies report their projects are near completion, and plans for their next projects are being made. Support for the war remains high among the citizens of the Empire and especially the citizens in Cestus.

In the Rhendor system, the ships Monitor and Reforger are re-supplying and loading needed items for the Cestus citizens. Plans are also being made to foster relations with the Phong race that was discovered recently. Our ship in the Prenix system is continuously broadcasting friendship messages in the hope that contact can again be established.

This is your monthly news update from Company headquarters. This program is available on your network feed for replay and archive.

Rita Edwards tapped her monitor and the news feed switched to her personal communication log. She opened her latest message from her operatives among the colonists on Cestus I. Work was continuing on schedule, but a message was broadcast from the Ephekir to both of the planets in Cestus. She opened the attached playback.

“We are planning a massive offensive in the Cestus system. Leave now or your ships will be damaged.”

She noticed the voice sounded monotonic and held very little other than the required words. No emotion, no pauses, no threatening phrases. Still, it was sent.

She was almost sorry they responded. If they simply co-existed, what was about to happen might not be necessary. With this message transmission, however, they had given the Dawn to attack their homeworld, and claim the entire system for the Corporation...

The formation of ships approached the Ephekir homeworld. The interceptors were screening the front of the formation and the bombers and frigates were behind them. The Archangels were from both Cestus I and Cestus II. Thornbird was also joining the three frigates from Cestus I. The ships participating in the attach would not be able to return to Cestus II, but the second ship of the new destroyer class, CDS Southampton, had warped into the system from the Rhendor shipyard and would take up the defense of Cestus II until the frigate and fighters returned. There had been some thought given until waiting for Southampton to join the frigates and strike next month, but the time to strike was now.

The Ephekir had three space stations along with numerous point defense satellites in orbit around their planet. The mission was to destroy those stations and satellites.

Forty-four Archangels advanced, and twenty-five Ephekir Pin fighters moved out to meet them. They knew that the Archangels had better armor and a longer-range cannon, but they had nowhere else to go. They were defending their homeworld, and their tenacity helped them destroy several of the Archangels before they were eliminated. A lone Ephekir frigate tried to help their fighters by firing into the mass of Dawn craft, but couldn’t respond when thirteen Invaders circled from behind the Archangels and engaged the frigate. One salvo from the bombers was all it took, and the path to the Ephekir world was wide open.

As they approached the space stations, scans revealed that one was a defense base, while the other two were construction bases. Point defense satellites ringed the bases. The fighters arrived first, and held outside of the enemy’s range until the Dawn frigates caught up. Thornbird and Mandrake advanced to engage the satellites with their DUCs. Thornbird, however, was in her first engagement and her captain miscalculated. Four enemy missiles launched from the defense base and she couldn’t run away in time. She survived, but was only able to limp away with her engines operating at nine percent – barley one kilometer per second. She never even fired a shot.

The rest of the fleet performed better. The fighters overwhelmed each satellite in turn, and despite withering point defense fire, enough satellites were destroyed to allow Ajax and Aetna to close to missile range and fire. The only obstacle for the Dawn missiles now was the base point defense, but that was busy with the fighters engaging the base. As the defense base fell, the remaining bases were destroyed easily enough. Fire from the ground based weapon platforms was intense while the fighters and ships were within range. Aetna took moderate armor damage, and eight more fighters were destroyed before the Dawn disengaged and returned to orbit.

Captain Redeux had followed his orders, and the planet was not fired upon. The orbital bases and the defending fighters were gone, and the Ephekir would have to spend considerable resources to rebuild them. Thornbird's captain relayed his ship's condition, and advised Captain Redeux that he would stay and blockade the planet for as long as he could. Redeux detached ten Archangels to cover Thornbird and the rest of the fleet returned to Cestus I...

The frigate returned to the Ephekir homeworld in time to witness the launch of an Ephekir frigate. The fighters that were protecting Thornbird immediately closed on it, but it was able to get off three shots against the crippled Dawn frigate before the fighters destroyed it. Thornbird now had no engines, minimal vehicle control, and no weapons. Mandrake arrived in range of Thornbird as the Ephekir ship was destroyed. The only crew left on Thornbird now was a skeleton crew ready to scuttle her if necessary. In reality, any sort of impact would scuttle the crippled ship without any need for an explosive charge. A repair ship wasn’t due in to the Cestus system for another two months. It would still take a third month to arrive at the planet to begin working on Thornbird.

With their homeworld blockaded, the Ephekir could use only whatever materials they could mine off of the surface of their planet. The system was being quarantined from any relief with Ajax and 45 fighters at one warp point, Aetna guarding Cestus I, and the Southampton charging towards the Ephekir frigate trying to hold open the other warp point. The Dawn Empire didn’t know what was on the other side of the warp points, only that they were going to try to keep whatever it was out.

Rhendor system

With the completion of the supply depot in Cestus, Reforger was now going to shuttle supplies and ordinance to Osiris in the Prenix system. Monitor was also en route with a Navstar radar satellite to keep the two rock worlds there under observation. The Phong hadn’t come back, but they did like rock worlds, and they had to know two were here. Dawn wanted those worlds as well, but couldn’t afford a war to take them.

Bespin system
Bespin II research facility #2

Rita Edwards found the contradiction amusing. Scientists, who work in pristine, dust free environments seemed to be the most unkempt individuals in the Empire. She was here to receive a personal briefing from the researcher who helped develop the destroyer class ship and the weapon platform mount for non-missile weapons. It was ostensibly a tour, but the chance to meet this “Dakar” – strange he used only one name – was worth the shuttle trip from Corporate Headquarters.

Her and her escort entered the room, and found the scientist, along with the site director waiting for them. The director immediately began the pleasantries of introductions, but Edwards cut him off.

“Thank you, director; but my time is short. I require a few minutes with your young Mr. Dakar here. Would you be so kind...?”

Punctuating her request was her escort, a large man who never held his eyes on one spot for very long, but when they settled on the director, he suddenly wished they were looking somewhere else. The man, however simply opened the door for the director and left after him, stationing himself outside of the door.

Dakar was smart enough to not begin the conversation. He was also smart enough to know the Board member in charge of Intelligence wasn’t here for a tour.

“Mr. Dakar, is it? Or just ‘Dakar’”?

“Dakar is fine, madam. How can I help you today?”

Edwards smiled. “I wanted to congratulate you on your service to the Empire, Dakar. Your research has probably saved lives.”

Now Dakar returned the smile. He was smart enough to not play cat and mouse with someone who invented the game.

“I serve the Empire, madam. Now, would you care to discuss the real reason you are here?”

Dakar knew one didn’t usually challenge Corporation Board members. He also knew she had come here for him specifically. As good as she was with the cat and mouse approach, he was even better at putting facts together.

In a moment, he would find out he was too good – at least at this particular instance...

The trip from Bespin II to Bespin I wasn’t a long one. The news of Dakar’s leaving was completely overshadowed by the announcement that one of the research centers was being demolished to allow a second space yard facility to be operational in Bespin. Though not a huge planet, it could take some of the load of making freighters and the like.

Of course, with one less facility it meant one less research team was needed. The other members of Dakar’s team were on their way to other facilities on the planet. New workers were on the planet to assist with the construction of the yard. The departure of one more official shuttle was hardly cause for notice.

Rita Edwards leaned back in her seat and smiled a bit. The announcement of the shipyard replacing one of the research facilities covered her move quite nicely. Dakar was a very smart man, and he realized that the choice of working for a woman who could have direct access to the Chairman of the Board within minutes (he had seen that on the flight when she announced the yard work was in progress – the first time Dakar heard the Chairman’s voice without the need of a speaker) and having the full resources of the Intelligence Directorate at his disposal would definitely enhance his ability to complete more research.

None of that mattered at the moment to Dakar. His eyes were glued to the monitor at his seat. It was linked to exterior cameras (windows were impractical in space) that showed what was happening outside of the craft. Edwards, for her part, didn’t notice it at first, but she soon realized his eyes never left the monitor. Then it fell into place.

“You’ve never been in space before, have you?”

Space travel was a common enough occurrence that those who hadn’t been in space were looked on with mild curiosity. Edwards wondered how such a simple thing wasn’t in his file.

Bespin I

After their flight landed, Dakar, Rita Edwards, and her staff were on their way to the Intelligence Directorate headquarters. Along the way, they passed a mineral mining facility. Dakar had never seen one of those either, and remarked on how little of it was above ground. One of Edwards’ functionaries played the role of tour guide.

“The mining is actually done below ground. The building you see is the control station.”

Dakar’s interest was piqued now.

“What happens when the minerals run out?”

The functionary continued.

“The mining company – Mineral Recovery, in this case. That’s their number six facility – has surveys of deposits at other locations. Once this site is drained, the mining facility will be relocated to the next site.”

Dakar thought for a moment before continuing.

“No, I didn’t mean the mining facility. What happens to the planet when the minerals run out?”

The entire group sat in stunned silence at the simplistic nature of the question.

“It will happen one day, won’t it?”

Later, as they arrived at the headquarters building, Dakar stopped the director.

“Miss Edwards, you promised I would have access to all of the directorate’s resources?”

Warning bells began to go off inside of Rita Edwards’ mind.

“Within reason, Dakar, yes. You will have access to everything you need to complete Directorate and Empire projects.”

He thought for a moment and continued.

“Then can I go back into space?”

Cestus system
...onboard CDS Southampton...

The destroyer charged the warp point and the Ephekir frigate responded. As the ships passed each other, the frigate got three missiles for her efforts. Southampton never broke stride, and fired her second salvo as the frigate turned to try and catch her. A moment later, and Southampton was alone at the point.

Meanwhile, at the blockade, traders were being turned away from the planet by the fighters, although the presence of a warship in orbit helped convince some to leave. Occasionally one of the freighters would try to run the blockade, but they usually got a load of DUC shells in their engines. The traders realized that new customers were in the system, and they made the most of it. Soon, attempts at running the blockade were almost non-existent...

The development of capital ships continued as the light cruiser class was introduced. Weaponry and support systems hadn’t been determined as of yet, but the ship has a capability of 450 kilotonnes of whatever was decided upon.

One class of ships that had been decided upon was the repair class, and the first of them, CDS Servicer left had been launched and was at the Rhendor-Cestus warp point. Next month it would begin the journey to begin repairs on the damaged ships there...

Prenix system
...onboard CDS Osiris...

The Mayflower warped into Prenix, and the frigate had formed up with the lumbering ship. CDS Monitor had warped into and out of Prenix from Rhendor twice, launching the fighters that were guarding the warp point. Seven of the fighters immediately joined the Osiris in escorting the colony ship, while the rest guarded the point from the Prenix side of the system. The replenishment ship CDS Reforger was also at the warp point, just in case. The colony ship was destined for Prenix I, a huge, ringed world with a carbon dioxide atmosphere.

Perfect conditions for the Phong race.

Two of the Phong frigates were in the system as well. One was at a warp point as of yet unexplored by the Dawn, and the second was interspersed directly between the colony ship and the planet. The Phong hadn’t initiated nor responded to any communication attempts, but they hadn’t made any overt moves towards the Dawn either. Not lost on anyone was the irony that if the Dawn would colonize the planet, then a reversal of the exact same situation that prompted the Dawn attack in Cestus would be re-enacted. This time, however, the Dawn would be the defenders – if the situation played out as it did in Cestus...

Muktar system
...onboard CDS Nike...

Contact was made with the Ukra-Tal as their frigate joined the Dawn ship in the system. Nike was scouting a rock world that was designated for colonization when the frigate arrived. Nike pulled away to get between the planet and a third warp point to watch for any ships from this direction. Meanwhile, at the Kartogia-Muktar warp point the destroyer Northampton was waiting to escort a Mayflower to the planet, as Dawn began its expansion into another system...

The colony had been established, and its first priority would be a supply depot followed by a space port. The planet would initially be used for farming after that.

Monitor also made the trip to the new planet and provided an older Hercules II and a new Hercules III weapon platform to provide the colony immediate defense. Twenty-four Archangels and four Invaders were orbiting the planet after landing briefly for supplies. Three sectors away, Osiris established orbit over Prenix II and was able to monitor the second unknown warp point, and found the Phong frigate that had been in their direct path to the planet last month.

With the establishment of the Prenix colony, Rhendor was declared a secure system with both the Prenix and Cestus systems as buffers.

Muktar system

The Mayflower approached Muktar II, with Northampton escorting her. She was one her way to colonize the planet and stake a claim to the Muktar system. On the other side of the planet, Nike kept watch on the Ukra-Tal frigate that was leaving the system...

Bespin system
Bespin I
Intelligence Directorate Headquarters

When Dakar returned, he met with the Director. She wasn’t alone.

“Welcome back, Dakar. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Able.”

Dakar looked at the figure who was well in excess of 6 feet tall, and had to weigh at least 220 pounds. He was an imposing figure, and Dakar thought the man was aptly named.

Mr. Able didn’t approach Dakar, or say anything for that matter. He simply stood and faced the scientist.

Rita spoke again.

“Dakar, you are an intelligent man, so I won’t insult you with charades. Your worth to this empire cannot be measured easily. We would be very unhappy to lose you, and to that end, Mr. Able is assigned to you as your bodyguard.”

Dakar wondered at the need for a bodyguard, when suddenly the light in his head went off. He looked again at the director.

“As I said, Dakar, you are intelligent. To answer the question you can’t ask – no, we cannot allow you to be “compromised” in any way. Although I’m sure it won’t come to that.”

With that, Mr. Able moved to the chair next to Dakar. Dakar was surprised how quietly the big man did that.

“Well then, did you enjoy your ride into space? An asteroid, I understand?”

Dakar focused his attention on the director, and tried to keep his sideways glances to a minimum.

“Yes – and I have very good news. It’s in the report you have on your screen. I’d like the presentation to include the people I have on the attachment."

Edwards looked it over, and nodded; mentally making one more addition to the list...

Cestus system
Cestus III

Timing, they say, is everything. The repair ship, CDS Servicer was one month away from joining Thorndyke and beginning repairs on the crippled ship. Mandrake and twenty-one fighters were maintaining the blockade. Thirty-three more fighters were detached from the warp point they were guarding with Ajax and were entering the planet’s orbit when Mandrake’s sensor officer noticed the alert that was activated on the display.

Word was relayed to the fighters screening Thorndyke, who could do nothing. She couldn’t move, couldn’t fire back, and couldn’t even get a sensor scan of her own to monitor the battle. All she could do was sit there and wait. At least she still had life support.

Mandrake was already pulling away from Thorndyke and heading towards the fighters, trying to convince them to attack a target that could fight back. The fighter screen also approached the edge of the planet’s weapon platform range and set up a wall to try and stop the fighters from getting behind them.

Meanwhile, Mandrake was busy making contact with the reinforcements, who were still over 400km away from being of any assistance.

"Angel lead, this is Mandrake. Enemy fighters closing on screen. Point defense satellites active. We are heading toward you. Over.”

The response was almost instantaneous.

"Mandrake, this is Angel lead. Understood. Estimate time to contact thirty seconds.”

By this time, the enemy had split into two groups. The interceptors were engaging the screen, while the bombers began to chase Mandrake. The commander of the frigate breathed a silent prayer of thanks as the fighters ignored the easy kill, intent on crippling a second ship.

“Angel lead, this is Mandrake. Stand on it, son. Some of these ships won’t last thirty seconds...”

Mandrake’s, gunners began to concentrate on their pursuers. At first, their shots were off target, but as they adjusted to the small targets, hits were starting to be made. And one hit was enough to obliterate a bomber...

In the end, the Angel reinforcements did “stand on it” and destroyed seven of the bombers, with Mandrake’s cannons destroying the rest. The interceptors were also destroyed at a cost of 6 fighters. Improbably, Thorndyke still survived...

Dakar had made his presentation, although he was unprepared for the Chairman of the Empire to be present. His request that representatives for the mining companies to be present was enacted, and they were very happy with the news that their operations could be improved, as well as the design for remote mining of minerals on asteroids. The modifications necessary to mine asteroids for organics and radioactives wouldn’t be hard. Dakar had made a flourishing presentation of living on worlds without mining operations “gutting” the planets. The company representatives listened attentively and promised to give every effort to transfer all operations to asteroids. Inwardly, they smiled, as they didn’t say what “every effort” would actually mean.

The construction representative to the Board reported that the new mining ship design would need at least three months to build, especially given the fact they were just about finished with the first ship in the Canada (light cruiser) class. It would also require the largest investment of resources to date of any ship built – even more than the colony ships. It also promised the largest return to the Empire.

Mineral stocks were being used up rapidly as the Empire grew, and the decision was made to upgrade the existing facilities on the planet before building a ship that would mine asteroids...

Cestus system

With the arrival of Servicer, repairs could finally begin on Thorndyke. One of the frigates, Aetna, had returned to the shipyard in Rhendor for upgrades to the Ajax IV class.
The frigate Ajax penetrated the unknown warp point and found two rock worlds. Neither had an oxygen atmosphere, but the system seemed uninhabited. Of course, Ajax didn’t explore too far before returning to guard the warp point.

The destroyer Southampton also penetrated the warp point it was guarding and found two rock worlds, but one had oxygen. The system also had two colonized planets of another race.

Muktar system

With the discovery of the new worlds near Cestus and resource stocks dwindling, the order was given to abandon operations in Muktar and return to Kartogia. The colony ship was given new orders to colonize the second planet in Prenix. It would be a long journey, but the risk of over-extending the reach of the Empire was growing. Kartogia would be a border system for quite a while...

The meeting was in session. Each month the directors of the various departments within the corporation would meet for status updates and objective refinement. All of the departments were here. Research, Navy, Construction, Diplomatic, Intelligence, Resources and Colony Operations were always represented, if not by their directors then by their designates. The meeting this month was not revealing the greatest news, with resource stores being drained again, although the modernization program of the mineral mines and the promise of asteroid mining were bright spots to look forward to.

Colonies that still had room to build were still establishing research centers, and also were beginning to build intelligence centers, to augment the “behind the scene” operations of the Empire. A second shipyard was officially brought online at Bespin II, and it’s first task was to get a mining ship built. This would take 4 months. It was an unfortunate delay, but it would allow the colonists on the homeworld upgrade their mineral mine facilities in two months and then continue with their ship production. This policy would – hopefully – help ease the demand on resources placed by the Empire.

In Cestus, the Navy reported that the blockade on the Ephekir was still in force, although they continued to build and launch fighter waves. The good news was that the damaged ships there were under repair, and more fighters had reinforced the blockaders. The navy also reported that eight Phong frigates were now in the Prenix system, with six of them in a fleet bearing down on the new Dawn colony there. The Navy determined it could hold against an attack with the Osiris in orbit along with fighters and the weapon platforms on the ground.

It was Rita Edwards who delivered the most distressing news of all. Her operatives had received word that the Empire was at war with a second species.

Chairman Lomax was stunned.

“The Phong have declared war? Rita, we haven’t heard any preliminary threats from them, have we?”

Edwards shook her head. “No Chairman – it isn’t the Phong. It’s a race we haven’t had contact with. They are called the Amonkrie, and they sent a message. If you’ll look at your screens…”

Edwards motioned for an aide to begin the playback. There wasn’t video in the strictest sense – what they watched was the voice analysis display while they listened:

“You who attack are now against us. You who attack are impure. You who attack will be attacked. You who attacked will be cleansed.”

Nobody moved, and the Research Director asked the obvious question.

“The Amonkrie? Who are they??”

Lomax tried to reason it out.

“We didn’t attack….wait…The Ephekir?”

Edwards nodded.

“Yes, Chairman. We have discovered that the Ephekir have made a treaty with the Amonkrie. And the Amonkrie have treaties with the Sithrak and Drushocka empires as well.”

The magnitude of what just happened was starting to sink in. The Navy then made the next logical connection.

“And the Phong? If they don’t have treaties with anyone, they may snipe away while we’re occupied.”

Again, Edwards nodded.

“Agreed. While we do not have evidence of any treaties between the Phong and anyone else, they may view this opportunity as too good to pass up. The question is, therefore, how do we respond?”

Chairman Lomax took up the question.

“Right now, we are at war with two empires. There is a very good possibility we will be at war with four empires very soon. Ladies and gentlemen, we appear to be at the center of everyone’s list. We need a friend, someone in our corner.”

Navy spoke up.

“The Phong?”

Lomax continued.

“Exactly. The Prenix colony. I know the Navy can defend it, but I have a feeling the Navy is going to be very busy - very soon. I propose that we pull back into our systems – Bespin, Kartogia, Rhendor and Cestus. We will not abandon anyone in these systems. I know the colonists at Prenix are nearing completion of their supply depot, but I want that halted. Order the scrapping of anything salvageable and get the colonists off of the planet. Recall Osiris to the Rhendor-Prenix warp point. Have Monitor recover the fighters and get them back in Rhendor as well. If we are forced to fight, we’ll do it in our own systems. I want Prenix abandoned and I want our four systems sealed, from the inside. I want Kartogia, Rhendor and Cestus to have fleets ready to plug the holes should the warp points be breached. How do we do that?”

Again, Navy spoke up.

“The most effective way to seal the systems will be with mines. Lay minefields in Kartogia, Cestus, and Rhendor. I’d recommend four minelayers – one for each front line warp point – shuttling between a non-oxygen planet and the point. Defense satellites and fighters should also be at the warp points. We have two Carryalls in service for the satellites – I’d modify the Carryalls to carry satellites and mines, instead of fighters and satellites. Point defense frigates, destroyers with cannons, and cruisers with missiles, and – if possible – shields and regenerators. Give me these and I can seal the systems for as long as you need, Mr. Chairman.”

It was a long list, but nobody questioned the rationale. Nobody looked forward to weathering this storm, but there really wasn’t any choice.

Lomax thought for a moment and spoke again.

“Rita, get me information. I need to know if the enemies have weaknesses, and how we can exploit them subtly. Can we make them doubt their alliances? Can we disrupt their economy, their research, or their military?”

Edwards confirmed the tasking. “Underway as we speak Chairman.”

Lomax finished his list. “Finally, I want the Phong on our side. We will stand alone if forced to, but I want an ally. I want our colony in Prenix given to the Phong. Send the message, and let them know we acknowledge the system is theirs, and give them the planet. I doubt they’ll say “no thank you” to a huge world with a carbon dioxide atmosphere.”

Lomax held up his hand to quell the objections.

“I know it’s a risk, but we have to take it. I’m counting on our Navy to hold them out of Rhendor should this backfire, but if it swings them to our side, then it’s a small price to pay to give our enemies another empire to worry about.”